Book Description
Were you at a loss when they began their pitch? Did you find yourself without answers to their probing questions? You are not alone. Many thousands feel the same awkwardness when confronted by these zealous door-to-door salesmen.

But take heart you hold in your hand a book of effective answers!

You can successfully combat their basic ideas without mastering all their theology!

This little book has actual photostatic copies of "official" Watchtower prophecies which have never come to pass. Show them to the cultists. Prove to them, from their own writings, that their organization is, in effect, a "false prophet." In short: TAKE THE OFFENSIVE!

The book has three basic sections:

A simple explanation of how to use it the next time a "Witness" appears at your front door.

Solid proofs from their own literature that their system is false.

Irrefutable proof from Bible translations acceptable to them that the Jehovah they claim to serve is identical to Jesus Christ, the God-man.

This is a one-of-a-kind handbook on "home-defense." Buy it. Use it. And watch it work for you.

Customer Reviews (10)

Not very informative
I have read many books on the JW's.This one seems short and thrown together.It would be a good starter book for someone interested in the subject.I need a little more meat personally.

All Christians Loved By Christ
I think the Jehovah's Witnesses and all other Christian groups misinterpret the Bible to some degree.However, I will convince you that you do not need to buy this book to turn away a Jehovah's Witness.Simply tell them, I am not interested in this book and I have my own faith.Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholics, Protestants are all Christians, they just seem to all have different ideas about Christ.However, they all follow the Bible and care about God.Jehovah is just a modern rendering of the word Yahweh in Hebrew.If you look in the King James Version of 1611, the name of God as Jehovah is listed one time.I am not a Jehovah's witness, but I just wanted to clarify this.If you do not like their interpretation of Christ, just tell them you think he is God and leave it at that.You do not need to waste your money on this book.Being firm, honest, fair and not playing mind games goes along way.Every Jehovah's Witness that I have ever told that I am not interested, well they respected my wishes and stopped visiting.If you are still have trouble with Witnesses coming to your door, maybe it is because you are drawing them into discussions about Christ.They feel there is possibility of youone day being open to their way of thinking if you keep arguing and discussing with them.It is sort of like the girl or guy who keeps bothering you until you stop sending mixed signals.Be firm and kind and just say no thank you, I am not interested.This book is not necessary to convey this message.

The Info can be checked if you doubt
I have read this and two other books on the subject and I would suggest this to be read first then David Reed's books "How to Answer Jehovah's Witnesses Verse by Verse" and "How to Answer Jehovah's Witnesses Subject by Subject". I have bought the 1968 Watchtower bound volume, 1972 Awake bound volume, 1975 Jehovah's Witness Yearbook and more just to verify for myself some of the pages listed in this book and they are exact reproductions without any editing. David A. Reed's internet site comments to the friends is also a good site for more information.

Great book for what it is intended to do
THis book proves that the watchtower is a false prophet and proves the diety of Christ.Very compelling evidence which includes actual copies of the Watchtower.I am new to learning how to answer a JW and was looking for more of an introduction to disputing a JW but this book does not advertise that.
I recommend this book as part of your learning experience in answering/debating a Jehovah's Witness.

Great Main point
While too many "counter cult" ministries believe that JW's canbe won to Christ by explaining doctrinal differences, Dr. Morey clearlyshows how it is easier to get to the JW by showing them theirdenomination's history of false prophecies.Of course, the gospel shouldbe preached first, but otherwise, the method Morey explains to use inwitnessing is excellent. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Must Buy!
I would suggest this author to everyone.He is very thorough and informative.He knows this Cult.I decided to read the book straight through and I am glad I did.This is not just a quick referance tool, it is a must read.

A "must have," along with JW's Answered Verse By Verse
Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden by Watch Tower leadership from reading books by former members, such as this one, so their commentary on this book is deceitful at best, though they justify their lies as "Theocratic Warfare."

Jehovah's Witnesses are experts at using "hand-waving" arguments, by stating that ex-members must be "bitter," and therefore, you should ignore whatever they have to say. That's just an attempt to quarantine.

Jehovah's Witnesses have mastered the fine art of manipulation through shunning. Of course, the Jehovah's Witnesses notice many things that seem odd, even unbiblical, but with (seemingly) no other option, the JW remains comfortable until the axe of the WTS swings their way, and then, low and behold, the outrage and indigation, oh my! Great, well where was your high and mighty conscience "years ago" while you sat comfortably in apostasy? Only now when the strong hand of the WTS comes down on old #1, do matters of right and wrong become so clear.

This book is an inoculation against the Watch Tower. Ex-JW, David A. Reed is a HERO, and gave me an inside look to how the Watch Tower has doctrinally programmed its followers. It is a basic essential, along with JW's Answered Verse by Verse. I highly recommend both.

Former JW Offers Good Advice
The book Answering Jehovah's Witnesses: Subject by Subject is written by authorDavid A. Reed. Mr. Reed is a former Jehovah's Witness who was open to seeking the truth and because of his openness, came to understand the reality of how the cult operates. He describes how it was the cult's constant elevation of the organization above scripture that drove him to start questioning their authority. He uses his experience as a Jehovah's Witness in this work to expose both the corruption of the organization as well as its doctrinal fallacies. In addition, he reminds the reader throughout the book how to talk with Jehovah's Witnesses and which topics to start with. He suggests that we work with their training and not against it. He informs us to start by asking them questions about the information and to have them explain the answers. He states that the worst way to approach them is in a confrontational manner. Previous to this work, Mr. Reed produced a book with a similar title, Jehovah's Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse in which Scripture passages are used as proof-texts for Jehovah's Witnesses belief. In addition to this, he edits for a publication on Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs titled Comments from the Friends. He is president of Gospel Truth Ministries, Inc. Other works include the Index of Watchtower Errors and Jehovah's Witness Literature: A Critical Guide to Watchtower Publications.
The author's purpose for this book is to offer a response to a change in Jehovah's Witnesses behavior. Today's Jehovah's Witness seems, according to the author, not as well versed in scripture as the older Witnesses. They instead seem to be apt to rely on the authority of the organization more than scripture. This is likely do to the fact that more and more of the cults teachings are deviating further and further from scripture. Thus, making it risky for the cult to train their followers in scripture. This book is written to show the reader first how to get people to see that the cult is not "God's organization" but rather a human organization that is out to control them mentally. Once this is accomplished, the reader can move on to a subject-by-subject discussion of doctrinal topics.
I think this book is extremely well written and offers a format that any reader regardless of experience in dealing with Jehovah's Witnesses can just jump right and get started. I think he does an excellent job at using their own sources against them, so it is hard for them to say that he doesn't know what he is speaking of or that he has misrepresent the facts. He does an excellent job of dismantling the credibility of the watchtower as "Gods organization" and as long as we are faithful in consistently representing these fallacies and errors to the Jehovah's Witnesses I think we will see many people leaving the cult. Mr. Reed should be commended for the amount of research that he put into this book. If there is any critique of the book that I could find is that maybe there were too many topics and could be a bit overwhelming and repetitive but this would only be a minor problem.

A little rancor can be okay...
I know David Reed has some issues with the Witnesses. Anyone who has devoted/wasted any significant amount of time with them does. However, his book is so well researched and his knowledge of theology allows him to set the record completely straight. I am currently researching the topic and found that this volume was quite a bit better than the "Verse by Verse" volume. I found that it was easier to search by subject and have all the verses in one place. The only criticism I might have is that there were too many categories. Some of the information gets repeated and this can be frustrating (but that's if you read it all the way through like I did). If you're just browsing for a particular topic, the organization of the book works out just fine.

I'm impressed with the amount of research that he put into his work. I've seen some of the standard quotations from Witness literature before, but he adds to them with additional, equally damning quotes that haven't been used in other tomes of this sort.

This proved to be an engaging read, and useful for anyone doing research on how the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has deceived millions.

SOUR GRAPES
Sour grapes...Reed,formerly a witness himself,has spent many years casting aspersion upon his former religious breathren...This sort of book goes over BIG in mainstream fundamentalist circles,mainly due to the fact that Reed is an ex-"brother" who has re-canted,and apparently made it his life's work to hurl invective against a faith that,AT ONE TIME,he did everything possible to advocate...
So what,exactly,is Reed"answering"here?
Reed's book reads like a mainstream protestant biblical outline..He takes aim at particular scriptural notions and,like any good dogmatic prestadigitator,bends the scripture to fit his viewpoint,MUCH IN THE SAME WAY THAT HE CLAIMS THE WITNESSES DO WHEN THEY PRESENT THIER SIDE OF THE STORY..
People like Reed fail to understand that THERE ARE NO ABSOLUTES WHEN IT COMES TO FAITH...likewise,there are no ridgid,ironclad "answers"either..Reed himself should know this,especially given the fact that,at one time,when he was a witness himself,he advocated"answers" that ran counter to mainstream christian thinking,and now advocates mainstream christian thinking as being the"answer"to jehovah's witness theology...
Hey-David...get over it already...neither you nor the witnesses have got it down pat,100%..Everything is open to interpretation...your "answers"are fine,IF THEY SATISFY YOU..if,on the other hand,a witness chooses to believe otherwise,and DENY your CURRENT"Truths",then that is thier right,and it is just as valid,FOR THEM,as anything you have got to say. ... Read more

Book Description

From blood transfusions to salvation by works, John Ankerberg and JohnWeldon expose the unorthodox doctrines that put Jehovahs Witnesses at riskphysically and spiritually. With its easytofollow, questionandanswerformat, this book allows readers to quickly discover

• who founded Jehovahs Witnesses and why
• why medical care essential to life is refused
• why few Jehovahs Witnesses look forward to eternal life in Gods presence
• how many Jehovahs Witnesses prophecies have failedand why
• how Jehovahs Witnesses view and interpret Gods Word

Whether looking for specific teachings or an overallunderstanding of Jehovahs Witness beliefs and practices, readers will findthis guide delivers the information in a concise, practical manner.

Customer Reviews (2)

2 and 1/2 stars really...
i'm not jw. the info here's solid and in agreement with other guides. the overall presentation's winded,confusing and irritating.

A great study tool
A great read for those new to the Jehovah's Witnesses and their governing body, the Watchtower. The book examines the Watchtower's flawed history, doctrines, and New World Translation.It also gives useful tips and verses to use when talking with a Witness. Not reccomended if you already own Mr.Ankerburg's "Facts On" book, because much of the same information is presented here. However this book is more current, and has a little more info than the "Facts On" book. I use this book for study quite often, and anyone wanting to know more about the JW's will not be dissapointed. ... Read more

Book Description
This is the first major study of this enigmatic religious society. By examining the Jehovah's Witnesses' dramatic recent expansion, Andrew Holden reveals the dependency of this quasi-totalitarian movement on the very physical and cultural resources which have brought about the privatization of religion, the erosion of community and the separation of "fact" from supernatural faith. Asking vital questions about the ambivalent relationship of spiritual meaning to modern secular materialism, Jehova's Witnesses reconsiders the Witnesses' ascetic faith at once as an inverted form of pseudo-corporate "branding," and as an anti-modern quest for certainty in a hostile world of relativism and risk. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Worth Reading
I have read a number of books about the Jehovah Witness, yet in many the authors have been involved with the religion personally and have trouble being objective, getting angry or cynical. This is one of the coolest, most objectives book I've read about the JW. Most of all I liked Andrew Holden's approach toward the religion from a broad, theoretical understanding of the organization within the context of society at large -- irregardless of specific theological disputes. Mr. Holden's most repeated mistake in this book as I see it is overlooking the fact that JW indirectly discourage marriage and children, for Mr. Holden argues that the Witnesses want to increase their religion by means of procreating within the religion (two points which, of course, don't fit together). There are indeed mistakes about how Mr. Holden perceives the organization and it's members. However I would say this book is close to 93% accurate in it's description of the Jehovah Witnesses' ideology, which is a secondary issue anyhow. Specific theological details are secondary to an overall, at-large understanding of a religious organization within the context of the world (which is again why I like this book :). This book provides insights into understanding a general form of fundamentalist religious movements, into why they may exist and in fact may be currently growing in the world -- and into why it may not necessarily be such a "bad" thing, actually.

Thorough, except for some essential details
There is a certain truth in Andrew Holden's remark on the dearth of academic literature about the Jehovah's Witnesses, in spite of their high visibility in daily life. Although a quick count yields approximately 90 scholarly publications, empirical social scientific research of this religious movement is surprisingly rare. Until now the most recent comprehensive study, The Trumpet of Prophecy (Oxford: Blackwell) by English sociologist James Beckford, dated back to 1975. Jehovah's Witnesses in the United Kingdom are once again the subject in the book under review.
Andrew Holden's basic framework is an examination of the response to modernization from a variety of theoretical angles. The most promising of these angles is the idea of Anthony Giddens, who argues that individuals in modern societies can deal with their anxiety about secular changes by trusting it to higher authorities. In addition, concepts of purity borrowed from anthropologist Mary Douglas make clear that the Watch Tower Society, the umbrella organization of the Witnesses, is part of the larger religious fun-damentalist countercurrent, on the understanding that its teachings relate to a strictly rational theological system. The qualitative methodological approach is Geertzian, so in essence Holden has studied the Witnesses from the perspective of the detached anthropologist, suspending any judgments about the validity of their beliefs and practices. This conceptual foundation is the starting point for the main research questions: how does the Watch Tower Society deal with the challenges of the modern world and how do the Witnesses manage their religious identity in an age of cultural fluidity (p. 2)? Preceded by a sketch of the movement's history and teachings, the phenomena of recruitment, conversion, and integration into the belief system and community of the Witnesses figure prominently in no less than three chapters. Next, Holden examines how adherents negotiate their contact with nonbelievers, followed by the socialization of second and subsequent generation members. In the final chapter he describes and analyzes causes of disaffiliation from the movement.
For the most part, the ethnographic approach works well, since some data Holden elicited from his in-terviewees could not have been obtained through other methods. They reveal, for example, that many youngsters transgress the movement's puritanical rules, indulging in premarital sexual relationships and excessive alcohol consumption. Though officials of the Watch Tower Society are reluctant to admit that socializing children into the movement causes any major problems, the author concludes that `second-generation rebellion within the organization is more widespread than parents realize' (p. 143). In 1996, for example, the Swedish branch of the organization, in a letter to the national congregations, made clear that youngsters exhibited gross misconduct during the annual summer conventions. As Holden rightly notes, such protest may jeopardize the survival of the movement in the longer term.Consequently, the effect of house-to-house proselytizing carries less weight than justified by the amount of attention the author pays to this characteristic form of recruitment.
This brings us to a shortcoming of the study, for Holden has refrained from critically analyzing the quantitative data that the Watch Tower Society publishes annually. (I will dwell on this topic, since it touches upon the nucleus of the Jehovah's Witnesses' identity.)Although the author relies on a study by Rodney Stark and Laurence Iannaccone (`Why the Jehovah's Witnesses Grow so Rapidly: A Theoretical Application', Journal of Contemporary Religion 12 [1997], 133-157), which predicts a continuing and steady growth of the movement, reanalysis largely contradicts these findings. Primarily, these figures indicate that during the last decade membership in the movement's traditional American and European strongholds (with the exception of the former Soviet controlled regions) is decreasing or at least stagnating. Moreover, expansion in the rest of the world, like Latin America, is considerably less spectacular than in the late 1980s. Secondly, commitment indicators, such as the amount of time the individual Witness spends on proselytizing, show a gradual decline. Further, it can be derived that the amount of `inactive' Witnesses (members who do not engage in proselytizing) must be substantial. For example, in the UK, in the five-year period from 1997 until 2001, more than 15,000 prospective Witnesses were baptized, while the number of proselytizers decreased by 3%. Since, basically, the Watch Tower Society does not sanction inactivity, except for upward mobility within the organization, this can only lead to the conclusion that among Jehovah's Witnesses, nominal membership has set in. From research among the Witnesses in the Netherlands, this reviewer learned that in some congregations 50% of the membership consists of `free-riders'.
While the data indicate that the missionary zeal of the Witnesses is waning, the potential pool of recruitment is also diminishing. The Western phenomenon of mutual wage earners not only affects the Witnesses themselves, causing them to reduce their time spent on proselytizing; it also contributes to many unanswered calls when they canvass their neighborhoods-a major factor in the dwindling evangelistic enthusiasm, according to this reviewer's informants. From observing baptismal ceremonies, it is clear that the initiates are overwhelmingly, if not all, sons and daughters of the existing membership. Therefore, in those regions where the Watch Tower Society is firmly embedded in the religious landscape, the proportion of external recruits in a cohort of new adherents appears to be marginal in comparison with the quantity of members' offspring. It seems safe to conclude that the function of house-to-house proselytizing for the individual believer has evolved from an effective recruitment strategy to a mere ritualized expression of commitment through which the believer demonstrates his or her religious identity. In the terminology of social anthropology, one may, in the near future, designate the practice as a `survival'. It would be premature, though, to conclude that the movement is in a process of decline. In newly opened missionary fields - usually in states who barely tolerate religious freedom - recruitment and commitment tend to peak initially; in that respect, China is a huge reservoir of potential adherents.
These comments notwithstanding, and some minor errors like calling the Witnesses `pacifists', a label they emphatically rejected half a century ago, Holden's strictly qualitative approach provides the reader with fascinating details about the Witnesses' daily struggle, ranging from major issues of dealing with the tribulations of modernity such as `9/11' to apparently futile occasions like unbelieving spouses who want to put up a Christmas tree (an abomination among Jehovah's Witnesses, since they look upon this celebration and similar events such as birthdays as traditions rooted in paganism). The theoretical framework is convincing and fits perfectly well with the data. `The world', though still anathema to a large extent, is a millenarian prerequisite: it must exist to show how evil it is. That does not imply silent withdrawal from or loud protest against the social system. Holden's conclusion that the Witnesses' response to the world `centres on the interplay between their resistance to and alliance with modern secular culture' (p. 173, italics in original) may point to opposing and undecided positions: the movement's continuous worldwide expansion of its infrastructure appears at odds with its urgent apocalypticism, while, at the level of the individual, a believing spouse may wonder if and how to partake in the birthday celebration of her unbelieving husband. At the same time, this dialectic relationship effectively blocks the road to either sectarian obscurity or mainstream denominationalism. By indicating how religion is shaped by secular forces, Hol-den's monograph is also a valuable contribution to the study of Christian Fundamentalism in which this mechanism of calculating ambivalence functions as a viable means to negotiate with the outside world.
Once again, though, it is clear that sociologists and anthropologists of religion should aim at a variety of research instruments, since Holden's ethnographic approach apparently obstructed a quantitatively oriented analysis. The outcome of the latter does not only query the author's remark that `At the moment, the movement is flourishing ...' (p. 149) but also brings the Witnesses' most salient feature of their religious identity up for discussion.

(Originally published in RELIGION, vol 33, 2003, pp. 393-395)

good introduction to the movement
As with most of the soft sciences, there is a certain amount of hesitance to present as fact what a researcher believes they have observed.Holden's work is no exception, and there are many parts where the reader was left wondering if the author was going to take a stand or continue to vascillate apologetically as to possible misconceptions.
This is not to say, however, that Holden did misapprehend the Witness sample he worked with.From my experience, he impressed me with the breadth and depth of information that he amassed in a relatively short time, and well-described the overall feel of being inside the movement.
While at times the author relied too heavily on presenting sociological material and quotes as background proof to support his eventual conjectures (especially since his audience is ostensibly peers, sociology students, or lay-people somewhat familiar with sociological principles and readings), he nicely integrated two seemingly contradictory explanations of the movement, as a reaction to modernity and a natural evolution of modernity.This integration, along with seamless transitions between micro and macro foci, makes for absorbing reading.

solid sociological study if a bit inaccurate
Having read and written a number of ethnographies and also having been involved in the religion of Jehovah's Witneses both inside and outside of the group (I have served as a regular pioneer and I have also been disfellowshipped), I can say that this study does present many accurate highlights of Jehovah's Witnesses, their paradigm and what motivates them.

The other reviewer obviously didn't read the book carefully, because Holden does interview former members of the faith.He tries to be objective, claiming to use caution when listening to the stories told by the different people he talks to, but he chooses to believe (and makes the statement) that JW's quote scriptures out of context and misapply them.Apparently, the author doesn't realize that Jesus himself quoted scripture out of context, as seen by the Sermon on the Mount.

Curiously, he claims that JW's don't participate in juries and believe that the universe was created in seven days.I know that JW's can participate in juries if they so choose and also that they do not believe the seven creation days were seven literal days, but rather seven creative periods of time.One can't help but wonder how closely he was listening to the subjects of his ethnography.If he got these little details wrong, what else did he get wrong?

Holden attempts to make some original statements or insights about JW's but instead ends up quoting from other sociologists/ethnographers.I just finished reading the book last night and can't think of a single original thought he came up with.

The author recognizes that many JW's try to seperate themselves from the secular world by strictly limiting the kind and amount of worldly entertainment they watch.He comments that parents won't allow their children to read fairy tales or stories involving magic, but fails to explain what scriptures they base this on.It would have been more interesting if he had studied and questioned those JW's who do allow themselves to watch movies and TV shows that have magic as the subject matter.For instance, do they experience any cognitive dissonance (or, in JW terms, "does their conscience bother them?") when watching movies like, Shrek, or TV shows like the X-Files?

What about those witnesses who continue to watch PG-13 movies, all of which contain at least one profanity, something JW's are supposed to avoid?

I can't help but feel the other reviewer deliberately made false statements about the book in the hopes that Jehovah's Witnesses in good standing would read the book (and thereby the statements made by former members of the religion.)

Although Jehovah's Witnesses did have expectations and beliefs that didn't come true (for example, about certain years like 1914 and 1975) so did Jesus Christ's apostles (Luke 19:11, "they imagined the Kingdom was going to display itself instantly" and John 21:23, "In consequence, this saying went out among the brothers, that that disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: "If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?".")Jehovah's Witnesses have never claimed to be infallible, unlike the Pope.

Just because someone is anointed by holy spirit, doesn't mean that they will always get it right.The prophet Samuel, for instance, thought that David's brother would be the next king of Israel, but Jehovah God told him he was not the one.(1 Samuel 16:6, 7: And it came about that, as they came in and he caught sight of E·li'ab, he at once said: "Surely his anointed one is before Jehovah." But Jehovah said to Samuel: "Do not look at his appearance and at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For not the way man sees [is the way God sees], because mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.)

If you choose to read this book, do so with a grain of salt and be aware that the author has his own beliefs and values.He is not free from ethnocentricity.I preferred an older sociological study, "The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses" by James Beckford, which is the cumulative result of a group of people working together, unlike "Portrait", which is the work of one individual.

Sanitised Version of the Jehovah's Witness Faith
From the beginning of Holden's study where he admits he did no preliminary research into the faith and progressing onward to the point he starts to throw the word "objective" into the mix Holden's study disintegrates into a manipulated, highly crafted mess.

If Holden had done research into the faith himself he would have found that paramount in importance to the religion's adherents is the stricture, oft repeated, that by word and deed Jehovah's Witnesses are not to bring "reproach upon Jehovah's name". In interviewing ONLY rank and file members and in the absence of critical analysis Holden presents ONE viewpoint of the faith to the reading public, a very sanitised version of what Jehovah's Witnesses WISH to present to the world at large.

It is one thing to use your research as an opportunity to give space to a group of people in order to voice their opinions an experiences. It is another to allow said group to present their version and then put it out as some kind of unvarnished "truth".Anyone who studies fundamentalist Christianity knows that the reality is a great deal more complicated than adherents would have you believe. Given Jehovah's Witnesses highly publicised battles with accusations of pedophilia and the blood transfusion issue it is careless in the extreme to allow one side of the story to be presented without exploring the complexities inherent in the narratives.

As a sociologist whose area of expertise happens to be fundamental christianity and who was a Jehovah's Witness myself for over 20 years I am appalled and dismayed that Holden's work is being held up a "major study".Holden obviously follows the old, old school of sociological research and thought where by he is the "objective" researcher through whom his "subjects" true meaning can be understood. Holden has illuminated nothing more than a maneuvered version of what Jehovah's Witnesses would LIKE us to believe. ... Read more

Book Description
At first, the Watchtower Society seemed harmless to William J. Schnell, even valuable as a way to develop his faith in God and pass it on to others. This book is Schnell's fascinating account of his involvement with the cult, which effectively enticed him in the 1920s and continues to lure countless individuals today. Readers will learn, as Schnell did, that the Jehovah's Witness religion he had joined was anything but innocent. For thirty years he was enslaved by one of the most totalitarian religions of our day, and his story of finally becoming free is riveting. Readers will be alerted to the inner machinations, methods, and doctrines of the Watchtower Society, arming them to forewarn others and witness to their Jehovah's Witness friends, relatives, neighbors, and the stranger at the door. With more than 300,000 copies sold, 30 Years a Watchtower Slave is truly one of the classic testimonies of freedom from a powerful cult. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A JW's view
I am one of Jehovah's Witness and have read through this book by Brother Schnell. Although I understand the Watchtower Society's advice to avoid such "Apostate" literature I also am aware of my own ability to examine with open-mindedness the for's and against in any given subject. Indeed had I not had an open mind I would never have become one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
My experience is that no-matter what Organisation emerges on the world scene be-it Political, Commercial or religious its inner workings become mechanical and mundane. This is a necessity otherwise no progress would be made.
My studies of the "Men" at the top whom have organised and propelled the Watchtower Organisation from its infancy to now has shown me that there motives have been pure and honourable, forged by a desire to help others come to know God and exalt both Jehovah and Christ Jesus. However it is plain for all to see that no matter what level an individual reaches with-in this organisation (or any other) human thinking is fallible, mistakes and often very serious ones are made.
In brothers Schnell's synopsis of his experiences with the Watchtower organisation sadly what comes through is not a thorough citing of scripture to back-up his premises or indeed any balance in his assessments of the Watchtower motives, but rather what comes through is an underlying hatred. This is very sad from a man who claims to be a Christian. Far from lovingly explaining errors made, the brother simply turns the beliefs and actions of the Witnesses into some kind of business-like enterprise with one goal of making money. He highlights regularly the book selling aspect.
Now in the year 2007, the watchtower in many lands distributes literature with-out direct charge relying on voluntary donations to support the preaching work hence the charge of money making from book selling no longer holds any value.
Brother Schnell also harps on about the Watchtower claiming to be the mouth-piece of God that no other organisation on earth is supported by God and everything outside the WTS is from the Devil. Although the statement sounds far-fetched I would remind anyone who is part of an Organised Religion that surely they believe they are part of the correct belief system. That is if you are a Christian, Muslin, Hindu, etc...what-ever sect of that Religion you belong to you MUST surely hold that they (your teachers and teachings) are correct - that is from God? Hence the Watchtower does nothing out of the ordinary in making this claim as most other Religions do the same albeit in a more subtle way.
Some of Brother Schnell's interpretation of scripture is also as much a flip-flopping of ideas as he claims the Watchtower entertains. I find that in reading his book the true underlying essence is rotten and hurtful. I wish I could say otherwise.
That being said, if you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses and very active, you will appreciate that the mechanics of what Brother Schnell talks about with-in the Organisation can be all consuming. It is true that the rank and file witness can become simply a number in an equation. However that is inevitable in any large organisation. Does the Pope know each and every individual in Catholiscm? It is impossible and no doubt many in other Religions perform perfunctory roles that are mundane. To off-set this PERSONEL BIBLE study is essential. This I feel is what the true crux of the matter is with the Watchtower society. From humble (and I feel honest) beginnings the "Bible Students" which were eventually forced into an organisational arrangement by men believing it to be the correct step to take having Gods blessing unwittingly removed the greatest gift from man - that of independent thinking. I have to agree that although fallible most Jehovah's Witnesses accept everything told them by the WT Society. As a Witness I understand that loyalty to God and Christ to be above the words of fallible men even if the statements made are backed up with scripture. This is because interpretation can be erroneous and none of the writers of watchtower articles are receiving inspired expressions. They are simply using there own understanding based on current scriptural understanding. Hence mistakes are made. Therefore each individual should check his/her own conscience before accepting material written. This I think is where people whom are Jehovah's Witnesses fail. Independent thinking is associated with that of the Devil and no facility is available to discuss openly bible text or differing views. This in my opinion slows down understanding and isolates thinking witnesses whom can end up spiritually defunct, disillusioned and depressed. Indeed millions leave the WT Organisation for this very reason - CONTROL. Brother Schnell calls this brainwashing, but this procedure is not isolated to the WTS, brainwashing exists from birth onwards and each one is brainwashed in varying degrees without knowledge. So I would not interpret studying the bible with Jehovah's Witnesses as Brain washing, rather it is simply a study from which the individual student can choose to either become a witness or not. The problem is the lack of free expression once part of the congregation. Free expression would stimulate the congregations and uplift many down hearted. However I fear that this may never happen. So I admit a problem of freedom of expression exists in the WTS. For a more in-depth understanding of this I would suggest reading the honest, humble and candid account written by Brother Ramond Franz.
So to summarize, Brother Schnell has both valid points and misleading points. I do not feel he can categorically denounce the WT Society as he does and that his basis for doing so is frustration, disillusionment and ultimately hatred.
If you are not a JW then you will perhaps side with brother Schell as he words his argumentation towards those without knowledge of the WT workings. If you are a JW then you could read this and be shocked, but you should not be as no-one and no organisation is perfect. Not until the revealing of the Christ in Power and Glory will any of us truly know who was right and who was wrong. We are all in a game and illusions of grandeur should be avoided. Who knows what influences are exacted on the world. Who knows the rules of engagement between God and the Devil? If you have no belief in God and approach this book from a purely secular level then you will announce the WTS as yet another cult siding with Schnell, as indeed you will if you are of another Religious persuasion. But for me the universal issues lay far outside the realms of human understanding. Hence I would conclude this book to be informative, interesting and containing valid points for reflection, yet sadly a corrosive, hateful underlying negative-ness permeates the writing which does not reflect balance or Christian love.

MADE A LOT OF SENSE!
Perhaps to some who were never involved with the "Witnesses" much of what is written in this book will seem a bit far-fetched.But as one who was also in the "organization" for about 30 years I can say that this man's story made a lot of sense.

A number of books have been written about the Watchtower organization. I have not been very well impressed with most that I have read; I do not feel that they are very accurate.Although this book predates most of those others, with a few exceptions, I feel that most things covered in this book really "hit the nail on the head."Schnell goes into the history of the society after "Judge" Rutherford's hostile takeover (which is about the time Schnell became involved) and describes the Society's tactics in Germany during this time and in the U.S. immediately afterwards.The "modus operandus" that Schnell suggests fits everything I experienced and witnessed personally while in there.

My only exceptions would be to some disparaging suggestions directed towards Bible Students, prior to the "Jehovah's Witnesses".These seem a bit self-contradictory and I would not be surprised that they were added after the original publication, although I cannot confirm this.

Christian Biography
This was interesting and informative reading.It took one man's story of his life and how he and his family became JW, then how the religion changed during his lifetime, and how he finally got out of the religion.
I learned a lot about this religion from this man's experiences.

stop the cult
The Jehovah Witness Watchtower cult is a big money life destroyer.The cult causes children to die due to its bogus blood ban.The cult also causes suicide among the members of the cult.Protect your family and community by warning people about this big money mind control operation.
Christian Peper

Great history and personal story
This book gives a good background and history of the JW's and what is really behind their organization.The author jumps forward and then comes back from time to time but everything eventually fits togather. His style of English represents some one that grew up in another culture (ie. Germany) so it reads a bit different than comporary English. I'm 58 so readers younger than me might need to rewiew some general history if they need some reference points for the time period of WWI, the 20's, 30's, and 40's. Overall a good book; I'm hoping to get a younger person, that is contemplating joining the JW organization, to read it so she knows about what they really are! ... Read more

Book Description
This user-friendly handbook examines the major beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons and shows you how to refute them using Scripture, history, and common sense. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Incredible!!
In the interests of full disclosure, I am one of Jehovah's witnesses.As such, I wondered how far in the book I would have to go to find a misrepresentation of what Jehovah's witnesses teach and to what extent it would occur.I will have to say that Mr. Chacon does not disappoint.The first paragraph states that what separates JW's from "orthodox" Christianity is the belief that Jesus was "only a man".I challenge any of the readers of this review to ask any JW coming to their door if they believe that Jesus was, and is, "only a man".

Mind you, I know in advance this won't happen.Chacon's MO is to reaffirm the misinformation, preconceptions and prejudices that have served the Catholic hierarchy so well in maintaining their power over the flock.But for those willing to step out from under the spell for a few moments, read for yourself the Gospel accounts.Ask yourself, if I read these as if I were reading them for the first time who would I conclude that Jesus is?Remember that Jesus said that God revealed spiritual truth to "babes" not theologians.I have confidence that for the honest hearted the Bible will speak to you in clear and uncertain terms.May it, and not the misinformation propounded in Mr Chacon's book, guide you in the steps you will take in ascertaining Jesus indispensible role in fulfilling God's purpose.

What is true is true to me, and what is true is true to you.
After reading this book, I have come to the conclusion that it is pretty much 'impossible' to change a person's belief system.No matter what the historical facts, lexicons or Greek/Hebrew Bible Dictionaries may be given to support or dispute a belief, it is human nature to defend our beliefs to the max, and for some even to death.

I thought this book was average and had some very factual information backed up by pertinent data.Again, this book was written from the Catholic viewpoint, and no one can argue with the fact that the Catholic religion was the "first" Christian religion that was in existence for approximately 1750 years before the Reformation; therefore, the fundamental basics in religious thought was preserved through the Catholic Church.After the Protestant movement, which began with Luther, there have been over 2000 various sects of different Christian religions by the year 1850 A.D.Frankly, I am overwhelmed and do not know which church is the true church?So, I feel what is important is to concentrate on the simple message of the gospel, which teaches us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and to love God with all our heart, mind and soul. Also, to follow the 10 commandments and live by the word of God and read the Bible daily.No matter which version of the Bible you read, what matters to God is that you follow His teachings and commandments and remember to be kind and loving to animals and people.

The Bible also says that you can judge a "tree" by the fruit it produces.Trees are sometimes used symbolically to refer to "man" or mankind.The most outstanding citizens of the noblest and honest characters I have ever known, were Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and Jews.So although they vary in some theological doctrines, they all produce "good fruit" in my eyes.

Great guide for those who don't want to be JWs
Because JWs can be so convincing, using especially the state of the world now, it is hard to pull yourself away once you've been sucked in. This and other guides are a must-have for anyone wanting to pull away. This guide has good info, but may not completely do the trick. Stock up on info to defend yourself!

Beginning Apologetics
This series of books is excellent. It is very basic, but complete and concise. Great reading AND reference!

Informed Outline of Jehovah Witnessand Mormon Beliefs
Once again I am amazed that Amazon allowed people who obviously did not read a book post negative reviews on it. If they had read the book, they would have realized that "Beginning Apologetics 2: How to Answer Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons," is not an attack on people of this faith, but rather an outline of the doctrinal ideas that these religions have that contradict basic teachings of Christianity, and how their understanding of history.

As Christians, we are exhorted to demonstrate hospitality to strangers, because we never know when they might be angels in disguise. This does not only mean hospitality in the traditional sense of opening our houses for overnight guests, but sharing our lives and our time generously with other who may have need for it. I have lived in many cities, and even when living in locations where I never saw a worship center for Jehovah witnesses, I have had them knock on my door, trying to proselytize me. So the advise recommended by one reviewer that "if you don't want to talk to them, then tell them not to come" aside from being uncharitable, is not very practical advice, if you have no idea from where they come.

Most people are hesitant to enter into dialogues about faith, because they take a lot of issues of their religious practice on faith, which is admirable, but we are exhorted in the Bible to offer guidance to the misinformed. Engaging in a dialogue with an Adventist group, such as the Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, or the Church of Latter Days Saints, can be daunting, because many of the claims they make are so antithetical to basic Christian beliefs, and they uses such and unusual translation of the Bible, that it shocks theaverage Christian who has not heard these ideas. For instance, they believe Jesus was entirely a God and not man, which contradicts the idea inherent in all Abrahamic faiths that we are commanded to worship only one God, and represents an extension of the Arian heresy. And they believe that only 144,000 people will be in heave, and that all those people were chosen before 1935 and it does not include any person from the Old Testament; implying that the founders of these religions that started in the 1800s (although they believe that they were some part of an underground movement that has ties from the beginning of Christianity; the book outlines this argument too) are holier than prophets like Abraham and Moses.

Adventists gained followings in the 1800s, because charismatic leaders who claimed to have received personal revelations thought that the world was about to end. All the projected dates for the world's ending have long since passed, but people still find credence in these faiths. This book provides excerpts from the religious texts that the Adventists use and teaches readers how to refute their allegations in apologetic discussions by using their own texts, which are very different interpretations than what is readable in mainstream Bibles. Yes, the allegations could easily be refuted using main stream Bibles, but then that might be more difficult to argue the validation for your edition over theirs. It also provides a detailed history of Adventist movements. Although the book is written by a Catholic, its arguments are helpful to any Christian, because in the major differences between Adventist beliefs and mainstream Christian apologetics, represent a huge deviation between basic Christian doctrine that Catholics and non-Catholics hold as true, on the one hand, and what the Adventist believes on the other hand.I recommend that every mainstream Christian buy this incredible affordable book, read it, and the next time an Adventist knocks on your door, offer them Christian hospitality and a charitable dialogue. ... Read more

Book Description
(Revised and updated) Hewitt's fascinating account of growing up in the Jehovah's Witness cult has been revised to reflect recent developments. More than 40,000 copies in print. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Buy this book through Sunrise Books and save
I bought from them but accidentally erased my review, I found out later you cant modify a review here. Well I believe a good service should be rewarded always, it is a weapon as a customer. Encourage instead of always complaining. Well I am still reading the book, it only had like three pages highlighted some paragraphs, I also bought 30 years a watchtower slave, by Schnell which has more details on the organization. I think both books give a broad picture of JW's and how a seek for truth can be turned into a money making lie machine. The Judge certianly lived very well after he became the Wathctower "leader".

Thank goodness for the "TRUTH" about the truth
Wow, this book is very accurate, I must take exception with the reviewer whom said all JW books are free, they aren't the publisher/pioneer must pay for them. also of course they must all agree, as it is a cult, and if you don't agree on ANY point you will be thrown out and shunned. As a one time aux pioneer in the "truth" for 25 years I believe I am an expert in this regard.I really don't believe the WTBTS will survive the internet however as all their lies and re-engineered history is exposed, a good site for research is www.freeminds.org. oh and by the way I deprogrammed myself after taking some university psychology courses and was able to associate the earmarks of a cult with jehovah's witnesses, and their very effective brainwashing techniques IE: isolating their members and limiting their exposure to society provided printed materials. Also they discourage higher education soley because the more educated someone is the eaiser it is to see thru the programming and make decisions for oneself. in short we need more books like this to shed the light on the shady dealings of the watchtower bible and tract society.

Nina
I was raised a Jehovah's Witness and hated it very much. It was a lifestyle that was just not for me. This made me very interested in this book. I found it to be VERY inaccurate and unfairly condemns the RELIGION. It is not a cult, AT ALL! This book is very misleading.

Are you truly Christians?
A lot of christian denominations exist yet a few have chosen to write hundreds of books condeming only Jehovah's Witnesses...do you notice that no Witness is hitting back? These so-called Christian authors may be motivated by the money you can make by selling "Christian" books. If they truly want to warn fellow saved/born-again Christians about this "cult", why don't they give out their books for FREE? How about poor "Christians", who will warn them? Why would a "Christian" author like one David A. Reed devote an entire lifetime writing several books against Jehovah's Witnesses? Why the hatred? Most Jehovah's Witnesses were at one time Catholics, Protestants, Methodists, Baptists, etc. yet not one of them is earning a living/making money by selling books condemning their ex-faith. The apostle Paul prosecuted Christians but when he saw the truth and he converted to Christianity not once does he ever prosecute the Jews!COINCIDENCE?

I hope you are an honest Christian. Reflect on this matter. Would Jesus be proud of you today because now you know how to answer back the JWs? Would he say "good job handling them Witnesses?". I bet Jesus would prefer that you spoke to others about your faith - Christianity - rather than devote a lot of time condemning others' faith.

A few Points about JWs

1. All their books are FREE including the Bible
2. If you think their Bible (New World Translation) is false, compare it for yourself using your own Bible....read your Bible's preface why they replaced Jehovah with LORD
3. They believe that A JW not providing for his family - materially and emotionally - is worse than an unbeliever!
4. JWs can support their believes from the Bible...can every single person in your church do thesame?
5. Next time you meet one, be humble, hear for yourself what they are trying to say, then decide for yourself whether its bad or good...No JW will ever FORCE you to go to their church (Kingdom Hall)
6. Do you agree with ALL your church's teachings? JWs do.
7. Are your Church's believes exactly thesame worldwide? JWs are.


Remember the Pharisees!

MY WOUNDS ARE STILL HEALING.....
ALTOUGH I HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK YET, I'M SURE THE STORY I WILL READ WILL SIT VERY CLOSE TO HOME. MY MOTHER IS A DEVOUT JEHOVAH'S WITNESS. ASA SMALL CHILD ME AND MY TWO BROTHERS WERE RAISED ON THE ORGINIZATIONS TEACINGS. TEACHINGS THAT SAID ALL HOLIDAYS WERE NOT TO BE CELEBRATED, ALL NON JEHOVAH WITNESSES WERE NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH BECAUSE THEY WERE DEEMED "WORLDLY".ETC ETC.... ALTHOUGH GROWING UP DIFFERENT AND BEING VIEWED AS WIERD BY YOUR PEERS AS A CHILD, AND ALWAYS BEING SINGLED OUT AS "THE KID WHO CAN'T SAY THE PLEDGDE OF ALLIGIENCE" HAD A LASTING EFFECT, THAT WASN'T WHAT MADE ME NEVER STEP IN ANOTHER KINGDOM HALL AGAIN IN OVER 12 YEARS...
MY OLDER BROTHER HAS SOMEWHAT OF A MENTAL DISABILITY. AROUND THE TIME HE WAS 13 MY MOM SET UP MEETINGS WITH HIM AND THE ELDERS SO HE COULD DO THE REQUIRED STUDY TO GET BAPTISED. (MY BROTHER NEVER WANTED TO GET BAPTISED HE DID SO OUT OF FEAR OF MY MOTHER.) AFTER A SHORT WHILE MY BROTHER WAS BAPTISED AS AN JEHOVAH'S WITNESS. MY MOM WAS SO PROUD HER FIRST SON WAS A BAPTISED MEMBER. HOWEVER, A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER MY BROTHER COULD NO LONGER PLAY THE CHARADE, AND FINALLY TOLD MY MOTHER THE TRUTH, THAT HE NEVER WANTED TO BE A WITNESS AND HE HAD ONLY DID IT OUT OF FEAR AND LOVE FOR HER. HE LEFT THE ORGINIZATION SOON AFTER. THIS IS WERE IT GOT BAD.

MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD US HER PRIORITYS IN LIFE WERE JEHOVAH FIRST, HER KIDS SECOND. I NEVER SEEN HER APPLY THIS BELIEF TILL MY BROTHER RESIGNED HIS MEMBERSHIP. AFTER WHICH SHE TREATED HIM AS A STEP MOM WOULD TREAT A STEP CHILD SHE NEVER WANTED. EVERYTHING OUT HER MOUTH WAS MEANT TO BE LITTLE HIM. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS UP TO THE BROTHERS IN THE CONGRGATION THEY SAID MY BROTHER BROUGHT THIS UPON HIMSELF, AND BASICALLY DID'NT DESERVE HELP. I NEVER GOT OVER THIS BETRAYAL.

TO SHORTIN THIS STORY, I LEFT HOME AT THE AGE 13 BECUASE I WAS DEPRESSED AND SUICIDAL. I HAVE NEVER SET FOOT IN ANOTHER KINGDOM HALLAND NEVER WILL. MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MOM IS STILL STRAINED. HOWEVER, I DON'T COMPLETLY BLAIM HER. SHE BRAINWASHED AND MALNIPULATED TO THINK THE WAY SHE DOES BY THIS ORGINIZATION. I'M NOT GOING TO SAY ALL JEHOVAH'S WITESSES ARE ALL BAD, BUT THIS IS NOT ABOUT LOVE. I'VE SEEN THESE MEMBERS CAST AWAY THEIR OWN FAMILY MEMEBERS THE WAY MY MOM DID MY BROTHER. ANY RELIGION THAT SEES CASTING AWAY ONES OWN AS OKAY, HAS TO BE SECONDED GUESSED. THIS IS NO RELIGION TO RAISE YOUR KIDS IN.

I'M THANKFUL I GOT PROFESSIONAL HELP. I AM SOMEWHAT OVER MY CHILD HOOD DAYS BEING RAISED IN THIS RELIGION. ALTOUGH THE WOUNDS STILL HURT FROM TIME TO TIME. I AM NOT WRITING THIS IN ANGER OR OUT OF SPITE. I SIMPLY WANTED TO SHARE MY STORY.

I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

You Need This Book In Your JW Library!
Edmond Gruss has compiled a marvelous volume of the completely failed prophecies made by the Brooklyn Oracles, the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. I read this book waay back when it first came out. This is not an easy reader, but is in fact more of a reference work. So, don't get the mistaken notion of the nature or purpose of Gruss's excellent work. This book should be in the library of every former Jehovah's Witness and should be read by all those who are foolish enough to be considering joining the JW's. This book brings together, in one handy volume, all of the false prophecies of the Watchtower Blindmen.

NJM

Author of JEHOVAH UNMASKED and I WAS A TEENAGE JEHOVAH'S WITNESS.

Please
Read "Paganism in our Christianity" Historian Arthur Weigall, if you want to talk about something!

Not Impressed
This book proved a disappointment. One reviewer said "Jehovah's Witnesses by Professor Edmond Gruss is one of the best documented and most devastating critiques of the Watchtower ever written." So, after reading and thoroughly enjoying the two books written by Raymond Franz, former Governing Body member, I read this one. But it's little more than a review of other's research. As a literary piece, it's written like a third grade degree essay, offering little critical examination and never really adding anything new. Don't bother with this one!

The evidence will be hard to refute
Although it is not an extremely readable book--this is because there are a lot of quotes since it is meant to be a general resource more than just a book you sit down and read--I know of nothing more valuable that so clearly depicts the JW's prophetic record. And it doesn't look good for the folks in Brooklyn. I believe that any thinking Witness who was to consider the false prophetic claims as produced by Watchtower leaders and shown in this book would have their world shaken apart, so caution on their part must be taken before picking this up to read. But truth is something that is worthwhile to find and grasp, and in this case, I highly recommend the Witness go through the well-documented records as put together by Gruss and determine this: If the Governing Body could be so wrong about so many things in its entire history, what else could they be wrong on? (i.e. view of God, view of Jesus, view of authority, view of salvation, etc.) For these are not just men claiming to be fallible leaders, but rather, their very words are examined and studied by the 7 million JWS located around the world as being equal in authority with anything the Bible says. And these kind folks are coming to our doors, urgently trying to share their faith. I believe a book like this would be valuable on the shelf of every Christian who realizes that, when a Witness knocks on their door, it's time to go to work and share our faith--and we don't even have to take our bedroom slippers off!) The amount of work that went into this book is incredible--my hat's off to Ed Gruss, a great researcher on the religion of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Lots of quotes, well organized - naturally not uplifting
The Watchtower organisation has made some rather strong claims about themselves. They are, so they say, the only ones that understand the Bible properly and in order to be a Christian you need to submit to their authority. Edmond Gruss has collected a large amount of quotes from the Watchtower literature, that shows (over and over again) that the Watchtower organisation cannot be trusted. Failed predictions and changes in interpretation, sometimes from one position to another and then back to the first again, are not at all unusual in their history.

A lot of Gruss' material concerns the predictions about Armageddon and the end of the World order. The 19th century background in Adventist calculations that the end would be in 1844 and then postponed 30 years to 1874, the latter which Russell came to accept; the 1914 date, which is still central; and the failures of 1925 and 1975 are all dealt with.

Because of its importance, quite a lot of space (pp.74-149) is devoted to different aspects of the 1914 date. According to the Watchtower, Christ was installed in heaven in 1914, and in the following years he inspected the churches, and then appointed the Watchtower "over his domestics" in 1919. In other words, the Watchtower draw their authority from what they allege happened in 1914. Gruss discusses what Russell in fact did predict for the year 1914; none of the seven specific predictions came true. The interpretation of the Bible that led to the date is shown to be very questionable in many regards, and the claim that the signs that we are living in the last days are present since 1914 (earthquakes, wars and so on) is examined and found to be baseless. The thorough discussion of the 1914 date is quite welcome, since it's so important for the Watchtower's identity and claims.

The quotes about 1925 and 1975 shows a movement that is a bit more careful not to be as specific in their predictions. Still, claims that it's not about years but months or weeks cannot reasonably be called anything but failed predictions. The time from the 1920:s and onward for decades shows a movement that constantly expected the end to be around the corner, and the Watchtower advised it's people to use what little time that was left to witness and to wait with getting married until the new system had come, after Armageddon. The events concerning 1975 are quite sad. Before 1975, Witnesses were commended for selling their homes and devoted the little time that was left until Armageddon to witnessing. After 1975 the very same Watchtower criticized the Witnesses that had not planned their economy to last past a certain date. They also blamed the ordinary Witnesses for the 1975 expectations, while the expectations had been produced by the Watchtower. Not only did they fail to take responsibility for their mistakes, but they let the people they were supposed to lead take the blame for their own mistakes.

In the first chapter, Gruss discusses the claims of the Watchtower organisation. The relationship between the organisation and the ordinary Witness seems to be rather odd. A Jehovah's Witness is expected to believe everything that the Watchtower teaches them, while at the same time the Watchtower claims not to be infallible. This means that the organisation goes free from responsibility, while their people are to follow them blindly. The consequences were made clear to me when the 1975 date was dealt with, but there are examples throughout the book of this kind of spineless leadership.

Gruss' book is not very uplifting, but it gives a good picture of the Watchtower's false claims, and with the huge amount of quotes one gets a feel of the Watchtower thinking. Gruss' own commentaries are quite sparse. He usually seems to prefer to quote others (e.g. Carl Olof Jonsson or Raymond Franz) when giving a more extensive critique than a line or two. This book is definitely not necessary to read if you want to be able to talk to a Jehovah's Witness, but it is very helpful if you want a deeper look at the dark side (is there a light side?) of the Watchtower history.

Also note the format of this book. It's 11.0 x 8.2 inches, which is about twice of the normal ~6 x ~8 inches. In other words, it would make about 700 pages with the normal format. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

One Not So Minor Detail
I am not a Jehovah's Witness, so I cannot take issue with Chretian's book for that reason. The reason I take issue with Chretian's book is his treatment of the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in the African nation of Malawi during the 1970s. President for Life Hastings Banda made Malawi a one party state, ordering all citizens to register in his ruling party and carry a party membership card. Jehovah's Witnesses refused because their religion forbids earthly political involvements like voting, saluting flags, and military service. Because of this refusal Malawian Witnesses were persecuted. Some were even murdered. At the time their plight was taken up by members of Congress and Amnesty International.

While Chretien may not have said that Malawian Jehovah's Witnesses deserved their fate, he takes a blame the victim approach. Chretien compares the party membership card to an American social security card when the card was more like Bill Clinton forcing all Ameicans to register as Democrats. He fails to mention that the Witnesses offered a compromise by agreeing to carry apolitical citizenship cards, but President for Life Banda's vanity would not be offened by having some Malawians refuse his party. If the Witnesses had only bothered to buy their party membership cards, they wouldn't have been so serverely mistreated according to Chetien. This shows that they're a bad religion more than it shows that Banda was a fascist. It seems that Chretien is so doggedly against Jehovah's Witnesses he would rather blame them than a Third World dictatorship for their persecution. It gives the impression that he does not just disagree with the Jehovah's Witnesses as much he seems to have an axe to grind. Chretien must dislike them so much that he has to take a blame the victim approach when they get persecuted. It may be a minor point in Witnesses of Jehovah, taking up only one page, but it severely undermines the book. ... Read more

Book Description
A history of The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses) from their origins in the 1870s up to the mid-1960s. Long out-of-print, now in a second edition. This title was originally published using the pen name "Timothy White." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Welcome Reprint
The book is an excellent compendium detailing how the Jehovah's Witness organization developed its idiosyncratic teachings from its beginnings in the early 1870s through to the 1960s. The author shows meticulous attention to detail, right down to specifying exact sources (Watchtower publication, date and page numbers). His commentary is even-handed and sensible, although as noted in an earlier review, sometimes assertions are made without specifying their source.

There are, however, aspects of the book's presentation and publication that, in my opinion, detract from its otherwise well-presented content:

AUTHOR'S NAME & PROFESSION:
The very brief Notes on page ii state that "[t]he first edition of "A People for His Name" was published using the pen name "Timothy White". Unexplained is why the author is now using the name Tony Willis. In the information on the last page of the 2006 edition, it states that the author was "[r]aised in the movement, he entered the ministry in 1957..." It then mentions his "many years' experience...as a minister". Given that witnesses in leadership positions also refer to themselves as ministers, is the author speaking about when he was a witness minister or about the time after he left? And when did he leave? The wording could be read as meaning he became a minister (in another religion) after he left the Witnesses. I find it disappointing that information about the author is vague.

SECOND EDITION:
The front cover states in large, striking font that this is the "Second Edition", but strictly speaking, since the book's content has not been updated, it is a reprint, not a second edition. I have since learned that some quotations in the 1967 edition were not included in the 2006 edition. However, in my view, neither the larger page format, nor the deletion of some quotations nor the addition of an index warrant its being designated a second edition.

INFORMATION ON THE BACK COVER (THE "BLURB"):
It seems a shame that, despite the front cover clearly calling attention to book's being "the second edition", the information on the back cover appears to be a (dated) reprint of what presumably was on the back cover of the 1967 edition. Among other points, the opening lines of the blurb state: "Jehovah's Witnesses has been regarded as the fastest growing religion: it may also be called the most active." This is an extremely outdated statement, in Western countries in particular, where the number of active witnesses has stagnated and in some instances - Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and most Scandanavian countries, has declined.

Even given the foregoing criticisms, the book is a valuable edition to my library. It is a fascinating - if disturbing - historical reminder that as the generations kept passing, this even-then ageing and far-from "rational" religion was forced to update its exclusive take on Biblical "words of truth". Indeed, if the documented flip-flop changes were evident in the decades leading up to the 1960s, the flip-flopping has become even more evident in more recent years, as documented in other more up-to-date publications.

Objective, Warts and All, History of Jehovah's Witnesses cult
The majority of books written about cults and fringe religions fall into two categories.They are often sugarcoated accounts of the group and hagiographies of the founders written by members and sympathizers or they are diatribes written by disaffected members with an ax to grind and are rife with emotional editorializing. While these books often contain interesting and valuable information it is refreshing to see a work that exposes the flaws, inconsistencies and hypocrisies of a cult by simply presenting a detailed, honest and comprehensive history of the group.

A People for His Name is such a work.My understanding is that Tony Wills, the author, was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and went on to lead a successful academic career.His history of the group begins with the early life of its founder, Charles Taze Russell and concludes with the presidency of Nathan Knorr.The book was first published in 1967 and so does not contain the history of the group in the last three decades of the twentieth century.However, it is an important book because it provides facts about the religion in the early years of the century, facts that are not well known because the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, the corporate arm of the group, has hidden them.This religion relies on its eschatology to obtain converts, but has a long history of setting dates for the end of the world that have proven to be false.In order to survive, the religion has had to conceal its failed predictions and has done so by suppressing the facts of its own history, the beliefs of its early leaders and its own publications from those early years.Therefore, this Second Edition of Mr. Wills' work, which contains a wealth of meticulous details about that suppressed era, is an indispensable research tool for anyone interested in cults in general and the truth about Jehovah's Witnesses in particular.

However, the main virtue of this book, as stated previously, is its unbiased and scholarly tone which does not slide into either praise or denunciation, but lets the actions and words of the organization and its leaders speak for themselves.And speak for themselves they do, providing a fascinating glimpse into a group that claims to be directed by God but is subject to the same venal, political, inconsistent and mean-spirited thinking to which any human organization is prone.Mr. Wills deftly shows how the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society has reinvented itself again and again, acting as if past doctrines, internecine conflict and empty predictions never existed.

He does this by presenting the facts in an even handed way.Occasionally he offers an adverse editorial comment but it is mild and he sometimes has words of praise for the actions of certain individuals. But for the most part he just allows the religious organization to indict itself for its inconsistency, foolishness and hypocrisy as the details of its history unfold.

This book would be a revelation to most present day Jehovah's Witnesses who have been fed a sanitized version of their religion's history.These individuals need to know the truth about the cult to which they belong and this objective history, which does not seek to offend and inflame, could certainly help to open their eyes.

This Second Edition is an attractive softbound book, beautifully formatted and containing an Index that was not included in the First Edition.

THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST SOURCE-BOOK FOR THE HISTORY OF THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY

I first read this book over twenty-five years ago and found it to be the best presentation of the genesis and history of what would one day become a worldwide cult known as Jehovah's Witnesses. The book was published by "Timothy White" which I now know to be a pseudonym for Tony Willis. A People For His Name should be in the personal library of every former Jehovah's Witness. It's the source for much of the history found in Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz. A People For His Name is very interesting, detailed, accurate, insightful, and very helpful in illuminating much in the history of the Watchtower movement that is murky. It's the perfect antidote for the sanitized and deodorized official versions of their history which is published by the Watchtower Society.

I'm extremely pleased to see this marvelous book back in publication.

Namaste,
"Pat" Merritt

Interesting yet flawed
A People for his Name is an excellent book to begin research of the religious group known today as Jehovah's Witnesses. Refreshingly, the author was careful not to sound like he was on a crusade against the religion. In the Preface, the author, Tony Wills, said he had been "intimately associated with Jehovah's Witnesses for many years," and this is the reason he believed he could offer an objective look at the history of the group. Consequently, in 1967, writing under the name, Timothy White, Wills published A People For His Name. The book was not widely circulated and soon disappeared from view with few copies being extant today. Therefore, for those who are interested in adding another book to their library of books discussing the history of this controversial religion, A People For His Name was republished with Mr. Wills's permission.

In the Preface of his book, Tony Wills observed that "despite the growing need, no adequate history of the movement has been made available." However, upon close examination, I found this book primarily narrates the development of the religion's doctrines and history from the developers' statements which Wills is basically summarizing or quoting. For this reason, I'm not comfortable that the author's account is adequate either. On the whole, I found A People For His Name to be a summary of the life, times and beliefs of the religion's leaders as found in their mouthpiece The Watchtower or other Witness publications. This would be acceptable if information in Witness literature could be trusted to be truthful. Inasmuch as many researchers have determined that early Witness leaders did not always tell the truth about themselves or their movement, readers should be careful not to believe everything they read in this book as the gospel truth about Witness history.

Another thing I noticed is the author's tendency to make assertions without providing proof. For instance, Wills observes on page 5 that the first president, Charles Taze Russell, "thought everyone would be ransomed, he did not think everyone would be saved." This statement lacks the documentation to prove Russell thought this. I found many examples of assertions made without any evidence offered. Note the topic on page 154, "Armageddon." Here the reader finds a one-page explanation of the subject of Armageddon as taught by the second president of the Witness organization, Judge Rutherford. It would have been helpful if the sources were listed in the footnotes so we could find the material the author is explaining. How are we to judge for ourselves if the author is correct unless we can look at the data? Incidentally, quotation sources are found in the footnotes, but no citations are listed where the material which the author is analyzing can be found.

Overall, I found the topics in the book well arranged and interesting. There's definitely a great deal of history in A People For His Name but the reader can not separate the wheat from the chaff without additional research which this reviewer would advise. However, for comparative study, A People For His Name should definitely be included in any list of books that discuss the early history of Jehovah's Witnesses.




... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

a valuable scholarly contribution
On page 264, Greg Stafford makes a good point: "Ge